Comprehensive Guide to the Bowman AFLAC All-American Game Autographs
Overview
Bowman AFLAC autographs hold a special place for many in modern collecting. The autographed insert set features on-card signatures and honors elite high school players who have participated in the annual AFLAC All-American Game. While it is not the only all-star game for high school baseball players, it is generally regarded as the top option for elite baseball talent. The biggest appeal is that it gives collectors the first shot, at least in theory, of obtaining cards from top players that are signed even before they are drafted. The invitation-only event includes players who are normally in their senior year of high school.
It is important to note that the official name changed from the AFLAC All-American Game to the Perfect Game All-American Classic Presented By Rawlings, starting with 2011, but many still refer to the game and the resulting cards by the original name. Additionally, players from the the Under Armour All-America Game, a high school all-star game organized by Baseball Factory, have been included with the AFLAC autographs in recent years. Both Perfect Game and Baseball Factory count plenty of current MLB players as former participants in their respective games. Full lists of MLB alumni for Baseball Factory and Perfect Game can be seen by following the links.
Despite, or perhaps due to the popularity of these cards, several elements contribute to the confusion and the opportunity for forgeries. First, the cards are printed at the event and unsigned cards are distributed at these events to both players and fans. Also, not all of the pack-pulled cards include serial numbering, which makes it easier to determine which cards were certified by Topps, versus those that were signed in-person or simply forged.
Because these players are still amateurs at the time of the signing, Topps must hold the autographed cards until the player is drafted and signs a contract with Topps. Therefore, years may pass before the cards for particular players are found in packs, especially if the player attends college for several years.
Take a look at the card designs which have featured through the years below. Please note that while there are other AFLAC designs that have been used in other years, this guide only covers the autographed cards issued by Topps in their products. The following tab includes full checklists from all products that released these cards, including full print runs and any other notable information.
Bowman AFLAC All-American Autographs Visual Guide
2004 AFLAC Autograph
2007 AFLAC Autograph
2009 AFLAC Autograph
2011 Perfect Game Autograph
2006 AFLAC Autograph
2008 AFLAC Autograph
2010 AFLAC Autograph
2011 Under Armour Autograph
2012 Perfect Game Autograph
2012 Under Armour Autograph
2013 Perfect Game Autograph
2013 Under Armour Autograph
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Complete Checklists
Complete Bowman All-American Autographs Checklist
The following list documents each edition of AFLAC Autographs, including basic information and a full checklist. The card design and all-star game year are noted for each player. Click the main set listings to shop singles from each product. Detailed product information can be seen by clicking the product link in the body of the text.
2004 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects AFLAC All-Americans Autographed Chrome Refractors
The very first edition of the AFLAC autographs came from 2004 Bowman Draft as the result of an error. Basically, Topps made too many redemptions cards for the Gold Refractor (#/50) parallel, and collectors were offered a set of signed AFLAC cards as a replacement. Despite carrying a 2004 label and design, the cards were not shipped until 2006. Each card is numbered to 125 and the Andrew McCutchen and Justin Upton cards are very valuable. All four players participated in the 2004 AFLAC All-American Classic.
- AA-AM Andrew McCutchen
- AA-CH C.J. Henry
- AA-CM Cameron Maybin
- AA-JU Justin Upton
2006 Bowman Originals Buyback AFLAC Autographs
Further complicating things, Topps released 2006 Bowman Originals, which included base buyback versions of the 2004 AFLAC cards that were signed and hand numbered. Many of the signed AFLAC cards that are found for Upton and McCutchen are this version and collectors should be aware of the differences.
- AFL5 Andrew McCutchen #/391
- AFL5 Andrew McCutchen #/15
- AFL12 Chris Tillman #/100
- AFL13 Justin Upton #/1000
2008 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects AFLAC Autographs
Although the base AFLAC cards were included in Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects every year, starting in 2004, there would not be live AFLAC autographs until 2008 Bowman Draft. The 20 pack-pulled cards are not serially numbered, which can make purchasing these cards a dicey proposition. Professionally graded cards are the safest bet when talking about the 2008 Bowman AFLAC autographs.
- AF Anthony Ferrara (2007)
- AN Adrian Nieto (2007)
- BB Blake Beavan (2006)
- DB Drake Britton (2006)
- DR Danny Rams (2006)
- FF Freddie Freeman (2006)
- IG Isaac Galloway (2007)
- JG Jon Gilmore (2006)
- JH Jason Heyward (2006)
- JS Josh Smoker (2006)
- JT John Tolisano (2006)
- JV Josh Vitters (2006)
- MB Madison Bumgarner (2006)
- MM Michael Main (2006)
- NN Nick Noonan (2006)
- PD Paul Demny (2006)
- QM Quinton Miller (2007)
- RP Rick Porcello (2006)
- TA Tim Alderson (2006)
- XA Xavier Avery (2007)
2009 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects AFLAC Autographs
Much to the delight of collectors, the AFLAC autographs found in 2009 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects packs were numbered. The numbering is inconsistent, but all 13 cards are limited to 248 copies or less.
- Brooks Pounders #/240 (2008)
- D.J. Lemahieu #/142 (2006)
- David Nick #/243 (2008)
- Donavan Tate #/244 (2008)
- Jiovanni Mier #/245 (2008)
- Matthew Davidson #/206 (2008)
- Max Stassi #/174 (2008)
- Neil Ramirez #/240 (2006)
- Robert Stock #/236 (2006)
- Sequoyah Stonecipher #/248 (2006)
- Tyler Matzek #/244 (2008)
- Wesley Freeman #/231 (2007)
- Zack Wheeler #/244 (2008)
2010 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects AFLAC Autographs
Again in 2010, the AFLAC autographs were numbered. The big inclusion in the 2010 release is Bryce Harper. Harper participated in the 2009 AFLAC All-American High School Baseball Classic and autographed cards, some even featuring authentic-looking holograms, soon surfaced. While there are likely many versions signed in person by Harper, no official Bowman AFLAC Bryce Harper autograph cards were released by Topps until 2010, and they are numbered to 230. 2010 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects also featured the largest checklist to date, with 25 cards.
- Aaron Sanchez #/38 (2009)
- BJ Hermsen #/127 (2007)
- Bryce Harper #/230 (2009)
- Cameron Rup #/43 (2006)
- Chevez Clarke #/35 (2009)
- Christian Colon #/49 (2006)
- Daniel Tuttle #/102 (2008)
- Everett Williams #/127 (2008)
- Ian Krol #/127 (2008)
- Jacob Turner #/22 (2008)
- Jameson Taillon #/230 (2009)
- Jonathan Singleton #/127 (2008)
- Josh Sale #/230 (2009)
- Justin O'Conner #/230 (2009)
- Kaleb Cowart #/230 (2009)
- Keyvius Sampson #/127 (2008)
- Luke Bailey #/230 (2008)
- Matt Harvey #/230 (2006)
- Matt Lipka #/37 (2009)
- Mychal Givens #/230 (2008)
- Peter Tago #/230 (2009)
- Ryan "Scooter" Gennett #/230 (2008)
- Slade Heathcott #/81 (2008)
- Tim Beckham #/127 (2007)
- Yasmani Grandal #/230 (2006)
2011 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects AFLAC Autographs
Collectors were not impressed when Topps decided to issue the 2011 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects AFLAC Autographs without serial numbering. An outcry resulted and Topps elected to offer free grading for any AFLAC card pulled in 2011 Bowman Draft. The cards are pulled 1:1,036 hobby packs, on average, and all seven cards include players from the 2010 AFLAC All-American Classic.
- AFLAC-AB Archie Bradley
- AFLAC-BS Blake Swihart
- AFLAC-DB Dylan Bundy
- AFLAC-FL Francisco Lindor
- AFLAC-LG Larry Greene
- AFLAC-RS Robert Stephenson
- AFLAC-TH Travis Harrison
2012 Bowman AFLAC Autographs
2012 Bowman Baseball marked the first time that the AFLAC autographs were found outside of the Bowman Draft brand. The 11 autographed cards were included as an additional hit and only found in hobby packs.
- Andrew Susac #/210 (2008)
- Austin Hedges #/240 (2010)
- Daniel Norris #/240 (2010)
- Dillon Howard #/225 (2010)
- Dillon Maples #/230 (2010)
- Gerrit Cole #/225 (2007)
- Jordan Swagerty #/210 (2007)
- Jose Fernandez #/240 (2010)
- Matthew Purke #/230 (2008)
- Sonny Gray #/200 (2007)
- Stetson Allie #/230 (2009)
2012 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects AFLAC/Perfect Game/Under Armour Autographs
2012 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Baseball marked the first time the checklist included multiple all-star games, including AFLAC/Perfect Game and Under Armour. This edition sees a return to the serial numbering that collectors prefer. A complete guide to all 15 autographs can be viewed here.
- Addison Russell #/229 (2011 Perfect Game)
- Byron Buxton #/233 (2011 Under Armour)
- Carlos Correa #/235 (2011 Perfect Game)
- Courtney Hawkins #/233 (2011 Perfect Game)
- David Dahl #/235 (2011 Perfect Game)
- Gavin Cecchini #/235 (2011 Under Armour)
- Joey Gallo #/235 (2011 Perfect Game)
- Keon Barnum #/235 (2011 Perfect Game)
- Kevin Gausman #/225 (2009 AFLAC)
- Lucas Giolito #/235 (2011 Perfect Game)
- Lucas Sims #/225 (2011 Perfect Game)
- Max Fried #/235 (2011 Perfect Game)
- Michael Zunino #/225 (2008 AFLAC)
- Stryker Trahan #/235 (2011 Under Armour)
- Ty Hensley #/235 (2011 Under Armour)
2013 Bowman Perfect Game/Under Armour All-American Autograph
Continuing what 2012 Bowman Baseball started, 2013 Bowman Baseball again included high school all-star game autographs. The set covers players from both the 2011 Under Armour and Perfect Game events. All ten cards are numbered to 225.
- Carson Kelly (2011 Under Armour)
- Jamie Callahan (2011 Under Armour)
- Jesmuel Valentin (2011 Under Armour)
- Jesse Winker (2011 Perfect Game)
- Jose Berrios (2011 Under Armour)
- Lance McCullers (2011 Perfect Game)
- Matt Olsen (2011 Under Armour)
- Nick Travieso (2011 Under Armour)
- Tanner Rahier (2011 Perfect Game)
- Tyler Gonzales (2011 Under Armour)
2013 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects AFLAC/Perfect Game/Under Armour Autographs
2013 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects includes a new crop of young players, mainly from the 2012 games. Kris Bryant looks to be the biggest draw for collectors. Some of the Perfect Game players, like Gosuke Katoh, Reese McGuire and Ian Clarkin, also have red-ink parallels, numbered to 10. Although he was listed on the checklist, Hunter Green's cards were apparently not released.
- Austin Meadows #/220 (2012 Under Armour)
- Billy McKinney #/220 (2012 Under Armour)
- Clint Frazier #/220 (2012 Under Armour)
- Dominic Smith #/220 (2012 Under Armour)
- Gosuke Katoh #/210 (2012 Perfect Game)
- Hunter Green* (2012 Under Armour)
- Ian Clarkin #/210 (2012 Perfect Game)
- John Paul "JP" Crawford #/220 (2012 Under Armour)
- Justin Williams #/220 (2012 Under Armour)
- Kris Bryant #/235 (2009 AFLAC)
- Nick Ciuffo #220 (2012 Under Armour)
- Oscar Mercado #/220 (2012 Under Armour)
- Reese McGuire #/210 (2012 Perfect Game)
- Rob Kaminsky #/210 (2012 Perfect Game)
- Travis Demeritte #/210 (2012 Perfect Game)
- Trey Ball #/220 (2012 Under Armour)
2014 Bowman AFLAC/Perfect Game/Under Armour Autographs
Collectors will see a lot of familiar All-American faces in 2014 Bowman Baseball. Carrying a lot of the same names from 2013 Bowman Draft, many of the those included from the 2012 Under Armour roster are now seen from their 2012 Perfect Game appearance. All 15 cards are numbered to 235.
- Austin Meadows (2012 Perfect Game)
- Billy McKinney (2012 Perfect Game)
- Clint Frazier (2012 Perfect Game)
- Cord Sandberg (2012 Perfect Game)
- Corey Seager (2011 Perfect Game)
- Dominic Smith (2012 Perfect Game)
- Henry Owens (2010 AFLAC)
- Hunter Harvey (2012 Under Armour)
- John Paul Crawford (2012 Perfect Game)
- Justin Williams (2012 Perfect Game)
- Lewis Brinson (2011 Under Armour)
- Matt McPhearson (2012 Under Armour)
- Michael Lorenzen (2009 AFLAC)
- Nick Ciuffo (2012 Perfect Game)
- Trey Ball (2012 Perfect Game)
2014 Bowman Chrome AFLAC High School All-American/Under Armour All-American Game Autographs
2014 Bowman Chrome offers ten more cards, with the biggest name being Javier Baez. The majority of the cards are numbered to 225, but the Baez cards is numbered to 200.
- Austin Wilson #/225 (2009 AFLAC)
- Daniel Robertson #/225 (2011 Perfect Game)
- Grant Holmes #/225 (2013 Under Armour)
- Jacoby Jones #/225 (2009 AFLAC)
- Javier Baez #/200 (2010 AFLAC)
- Jonathan Denney #/225 (2012 Under Armour)
- Kohl Stewart #/225 (2012 Perfect Game)
- LeVon Washington #/225 (2008 AFLAC)
- Rowdy Tellez #/225 (2012 Perfect Game)
- Tyler Beede #/225 (2010 AFLAC)
2015 Bowman Baseball All-American Perfect Game/Under Armour Autographs
Ten more cards are included in 2015 Bowman, with the majority from players that participated in 2013 events. Each player has 200 cards and Alex Jackson is the biggest current draw for collectors. It is important to note that many in this group played in both 2013 games, so the players have unsigned cards from Under Armour and Perfect Game.
- Alex Jackson (2013 Perfect Game)
- Alex Verdugo (2013 Under Armour)
- Carson Sands (2013 Under Armour)
- Chase Vallot (2013 Under Armour)
- Joe Gatto (2013 Perfect Game)
- Michael Gettys (2013 Under Armour)
- Michael Kopech (2013 Perfect Game)
- Monte Harrison (2013 Perfect Game)
- Ryan Ripken (2011 Under Armour)
- Touki Toussaint (2013 Under Armour)
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